One player the Bruins can steal from the Atlantic Division in NHL free agency
The Boston Bruins still need at least a few more solid players if they want to make a deeper playoff run, and rivals in their own division could have the answers.
The Boston Bruins have entered a rather frustrating phase: They are without a doubt one of the most talented teams in the NHL, and many hockey fans should agree that the Bruins are the best team in the league right now that hasn’t made an ultra-deep playoff run over the past two seasons.
This was a Presidents’ Trophy-winning team in 2022-23, and it was a given that they at least would have found themselves battling it out with the Carolina Hurricanes for the right to play for the Stanley Cup. Except they didn’t even get past the first round, and fans would need to wait another season before the Bruins, with what was a lesser talented lineup on paper, try again.
This time, they managed to sneak into the Second Round of the NHL Playoffs, only to be denied the right to compete for the Cup once again - and by the same team. It’s understandable just how much torture this would be to the steadfast Bruins fanbase, and something needs to happen in the 2024 offseason to give the Bruins the best chance possible to finally make that deep run.
Weakening division rivals in NHL free agency would work in the Boston Bruins favor
The Atlantic Division has a strong contingent of unrestricted free agents raring to test the market come July, and the Bruins will have openings to grab at least one of them. But there are six, one from each of their Atlantic Division rivals minus the Montreal Canadiens, players they can get in NHL free agency to further enhance their lineup in 2024-25 while weakening one of their rivals.
Realistically, there isn’t room (or enough cap space) to snag all of the free agents listed in this article. There also aren’t any game-changers out there, as the Bruins already have plenty of them. Instead, we listed six solid players who could slide into a role and help Boston trek deeper into the NHL playoffs in 2025.
Patrick Kane, W/Red Wings
Patrick Kane proved he could still be, at worst, a solid role player in the NHL, but the Detroit Red Wings proved they’re still a bottom-eight team in the Eastern Conference. Sure, they were a better group, and Kane helped with their cause. But the 36-year-old will be looking to play for a true contender in the 2024-25 season, and Boston is in a much better position than the Red Wings.
While Kane can play on the top line for a team like the Red Wings, he may serve the Bruins better as a member of the middle-six, mainly the second line, if they signed him. His presence would give the Bruins a stacked top-six and there’s little doubt he would catapult them toward the 300 goals for mark.
Anthony Stolarz, G/Panthers
Look for the Bruins to re-sign restricted free agent Jeremy Swayman to a contract extension while they should trade Linus Ullmark. This could leave the Bruins looking for a goaltender if they don’t believe Brandon Bussi is the right guy to serve as the 1B or No. 2 netminder.
Stolarz would be a great option if the Bruins saw Swayman as a clear-cut No. 1 goaltender, as the former can step in and provide solid play for between 25 and 30 games. We saw that this season with the Panthers when he stepped in and posted a 16-7-3 record with an outstanding 0.925 save percentage and a 2.03 GAA.
Mathew Dumba, D/Lightning
Mathew Dumba came to mind because I wouldn’t mind seeing the Bruins pick up a physical blueliner who could be the answer for Boston to match its biggest one-upper, the Florida Panthers. While the Bruins averaged 27.5 hits per game, they still lag behind Florida, and Dumba, who landed 202 body checks this past season, could allow Boston to outmuscle who is slowly becoming their biggest rival.
Dumba also isn’t like some players who are known only for their hitting, as he can play top-four minutes if the Bruins struggle with injuries in their defensive rotation. He can also step in and put in time on the penalty kill, and it was something he saw often this past season with over 200 minutes posted at 4-on-5.
Eric Robinson, W/Sabres
Every one of these lists will contain an underrated player, and Eric Robinson factors in as someone you may not think would make an impact on an elite hockey team. But despite his nine points in 40 games with Buffalo, Robinson was part of a strong defensive forward trio, and he had a knack for knowing where to go when his team had puck possession.
This isn’t saying he deserves to find a permanent spot in the Bruins forward group, but Robinson is someone you sign on a one-year deal, make him your 13th or 14th forward, and play him when you need an edgy, high hockey IQ player in the lineup. He’s not a scorer, and he’s not an ideal fit with every NHL team, but Robinson is an experienced player who would fill a role in Boston that not many hockey players would be willing to take on.
Max Domi, F/Maple Leafs
If the Bruins were looking for a depth points producer, Max Domi is one of the more solid names the Eastern Conference offers. He’s almost always good for just over a half-point per game output, and Domi’s ability to create scoring chances raises his value and should help teams overlook his inconsistent goal-scoring record.
He’s also someone who can more than handle taking faceoffs, something that has recently turned into a strength. Over the past two seasons in Chicago, Dallas, and Toronto, Domi has a respectable 52.75 faceoff win percentage, something the Bruins can use after a season that saw them win just 49.5 percent of their draws.
Dominik Kubalik, W/Senators
Dominik Kubalik is one of those free agents some teams need to avoid outright, but others could help him enjoy a renaissance season. We saw Kubalik at his absolute lowest point this season when he finished the year with 11 goals and 15 points, but a team loaded with talent like the Bruins could serve as a better fit than what the struggling Ottawa Senators offered.
Kuablik played rather well for the Chicago Blackhawks when the team found itself in the declining days of the Patrick Kane era, and he also enjoyed a strong season in 2022-23 with a subpar Detroit Red Wings team. Put Kubalik on with an organization that annually wins, and watch him revert to being the 40-45-point player he has been a few times in his career.
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(Statistics provided by Hockey-Reference)